Mankato Area Youth Symphony Orchestra
Events & News
Spring Session Registration
Registration for our spring session ensembles are open! Please read below for details on our different offerings.
Chamber Ensembles - Register by February 7
Chamber ensembles are comprised of a small number of musicians, typically 4-9. Students can expect to prepare 1-3 pieces for the concert and may be one or two on a part depending on the ensemble size. In-person 45 minute rehearsals are on Sunday and meet weekly starting on February 14. Social distancing will be observed at all MAYSO events and masks are required. Email info@mayso.net for late registration.
Quick info:
Where: Holy Rosary Parish Center, 546 Grant Ave, North Mankato MN 56003
Rehearsals: Weekly from 1-3 p.m. on Sundays from Feb. 14 - Mar. 21
Concert: 2:00 p.m., Sunday, March 28
Rehearsals: Weekly for 45 minutes
Membership Fee: $100
Virtual Symphony - Register by February 15
Register to be a part of our virtual symphony! Students will be sent music to practice at home. Once your part is ready, record it and send back to us. All of the parts will be combined to create a virtual symphony. Music will be sent in February and recordings are due by April 2. Virtual sectionals will be scheduled to help students prepare their music. If you need a little extra help, you can add a one-on-one lesson for $25.
Quick info:
Where: Your home
When: February through April 2
Membership Fee: $50; Optional lesson ($25)
Summer Session - Register by March 7
Join us for some summer pop music! Past concerts have featured musical works from the Harry Potter series, horror movies, and video games. Students have two options to participate. Students can register for both the full orchestra and the string or wind ensemble or just the string or wind ensemble. We recommend that new or younger students register for either the string or wind ensemble to acclimate to rehearsal and learn from the older students in the ensemble.
Quick info
Where: Holy Rosary Parish Center, 546 Grant Ave, North Mankato MN 56003
When: Sundays, April 11 - June 13 from 2:00-4:30 p.m.
Full Orchestra rehearses for 1 hour 15 minutes
String/Wind Ensembles rehearse for 1 hour
Concert: Sunday, June 20
Membership Fee: Full Orchestra + Ensemble - $50; Ensemble only - $25
Mission Statement
The mission of the Mankato Area Youth Symphony Orchestras is to educate young musicians in a professional symphony atmosphere, to give opportunity to perform a wide variety of symphonic music, and to provide a variety of music education formats. It is our purpose to help prepare the young musician for participation in the world of symphonic music, either as a professional musician or as a patron of the arts.
The Mankato Area Youth Symphony Orchestra has been presenting concerts in our communities and teaching students for 54 years.
We now offer several unique opportunities for students to play music including Mankato Area Youth Symphony Orchestra, Youth Philharmonic, North Star Strings, Chamber Orchestra, Summer Orchestra, and Summer Jazz.
Ensembles
North Star Strings
North Star Strings (NSS) is an introductory orchestra for students and prepares them for YP. The goal of this ensemble is to introduce students to ensemble playing and help develop note reading. Students in this orchestra will have been playing for 1-3 years in lessons.
Youth Philharmonic
Youth Philharmonic (YP) is the preparatory orchestra for the Symphony Orchestra. YP students should expect to see challenging key signatures (up to 4 flats/sharps), challenging rhythms, and shift into higher positions. These students will typically be in Suzuki books 3-5 or the equivalent and have been playing for 3-6 years.
Youth Symphony Orchestra
The Youth Symphony Orchestra (YSO) is our most advanced orchestra offering. These students will typically be in Suzuki books 5 and above and piece difficulty will be in the 4 and above range. Think college level music.